"MOST VIRULENT."

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 10, 12 January 1929, Page 7

"MOST VIRULENT."

TYPHOID AT WAIKERIA.

INQUEST ON THIRD VICTIM. "DANGER STILL LURKS THERE/' SOURCE NOT DISCOVERED. (By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) HAMILTON, this day. Facts relating to the death of Wilson Logie, aged 22, the third patient fro;n the Waikeria Borstal Institute to die in the Waikato Hospital, were related at the inquest, which was held to-day before the coroner, Mr. Wyvern Wilson, S.M.

The evidence disclosed that the source of the infection at Waikeria had not been ascertained. The health inspector for the Waikato district described the drainage system at the institution as unsatisfactory, and said that his Department had recommended to the Prisons Department the installation of a septic tank. There were still three patients from Waikeria at the hospital, who were said to be convalescent.

Alexander St. Patrick Jordan, chief warder at Waikeria, said Logie was admitted on March 3, 192ti, from Paparoa. He was servinsr a sentence of five years' imposed in Christchurch. The coroner: Was he the first inmate stricken with typhoid? —No. When did the disease first appear at Waikeria? —December 17. Who was stricken! —Four of the inmates. Were they treated at the institution? —Yes, as gastric influenza cases. How long did that continue? —They were sent to hospital on December 23. What were their names ?—Lewis, Hancock, Cherry and Miller. What steps were taken to cope with the disease? —That was in the hands of the medical officer, Dr. Turner, who reported full to the head office in Wellington. Has any inspection been made by the health authorities? —Yes, Mr. Terry, the health inspector, visited the institution on December 21, 23, and 28, and Dr. Boyd, health officer at Auckland, visited it on December 28.

Is the institution still open for the reception of prisoners?— The period of isolation does not lapse until next Monday. Staff and Inmates Inoculated. Has the Health Department ascertained the cause of the outbreak?— The water of the streams has been analysed as well as the milk. Two suspected carriers have also been under observation. They all give negative results. The Coroner: Danger still lurks there? Witness: All the inmates and staff have been inoculated, and a second inoculation will be given on the lfith. Dr, M. M. Hockin, medical superintendent of the Waikato Hospital, said he first saw Lojrie on December 27 at 0.30 p.m., immediately after his admission. Clinically, it was a typical typhoid case, and it was treated as such. The Coroner: Can you tell me how long he had been sick?—Logie told me he had been feeling ■ unwell for ten days, hut had said nothing to the authorities. "He Prejudiced His Chance." Typhoid, if taken in time, is not necessarily fatal?—No, but he prejudiced his chances of recovery by neglecting to report. He died at (5.30 last evening of toxaemia and heart failure. The doctor added that this was the most virulent form of typhoid he had ever seen. He had seen a lot of typhoid, and usually, if hemorrhage and perforation could be avoided, there was a good chance of recovery. The other three patients were convalescent.

John P. Terry, inspector of health in the Waikato, said he visited Waikeria on December 23 and reported sickness to the medical officer in Auckland the following day. It was the superintendent of the Waikato Hospital who informed him of the outbreak. The cause of the outbreak had not been discovered.

The Coroner: What is the drainage system like?— Not entirely satisfactory, I think a septic tank is needed, and representations will be made by my Department to the Prisons Department to consider the installation.

What is the system now ?—The waste waters are carried mostly in open drains to the valley. There is the ordinary pan system at the latrines, and the nightsoil is tipped into an open pit 200 yards from the buildings, and covered with fresh earth daily. The recommendation for a septic tank has been made since the outbreak was discovered.

The Coroner's Verdict. In returning his verdict the coroner remarked that the law required a colonial inquiry when an inmate of a prison died. This was as it should be, in order to satisfy the public that proper care was taken. It was also necessary for the protection of the officers. It would appear that the cause of the outbreak had not been ascertained, but suspicion rested upon the drainage. It would also seem that Logie might probably have recovered had he reported his symptoms earlier. The coroner remarked that in view of the recommendation of the Health Department in regard to a better system of drainage he would add no rider, but would simply formally find that Logie died in the Waikato Hospital of toxemia and heart failure, resulting from typhoid.